Tag Archives: fun

If you’re like me and would rather get drunk and online shop from home, but love the appeal of well-worn vintage clothes, then people that actually scour the racks for you become something special in the quest for the perfect wardrobe. And online etsy shops really provide the best of both worlds.

Emily Bolles from Sturnelle Collection has graced the ‘pages’ of this blog before, and tomorrow, I aim to add another favorite online fashion forum to my repertoire with a visit to the pop-up shop event for MILKMONEY. I’m bringing Jimi along with me so we can get good and sauced and find all our favorite pieces to gush about on this here blog.

Check them out now or wait for my profile, but either way, let’s hear it for the girls – the local Portland girls especially – that love fashion so much they’re willing to go out and find it for me. xoxo, Lou

I just have been taking an unscheduled hiatus from writing for no good reason. Sometimes maybe those are the best types of breaks. Then I had someone somehow find me on Instagram and she loved the blog and I woke up this morning and literally jotted down a random poem first thing and remembered why I ever kept this blog in the first place and that was so that I could continue writing on a daily (or to be real – weekly) basis.

This is something I have not been doing and it kind of sucks. So maybe I should write … about … island life? Island fashion? Since I am coming off a 2 1/2 week vacation in Thailand and spent every day looking something like this:

Ridiculous right? First rule – buy flowy pants immediately. Those pants are the most amazing pants maybe ever and everyone should find their country’s alternative. They’re high wasted, have pockets, keep you cool even in 90 degree weather, have elastic ankles for beach walking, and dry quickly. I gifted a group of my girlfriends with them and now they love me forever. This elastic waist makes me want to cry with happiness, especially because when you’re in the tropics it’s totally acceptable to rock an elastic waist at all hours of all days.

Let’s see. What else? I really, really wanted to buy an entire wardrobe for this trip because you know – of course I was imagining all the pictures we’d be taking and I had an idea of what I wanted to look like in those pictures, but in the end I took a bunch of hand-me-downs and cheap second hand finds because that’s the only way I know how to operate in fashion.

Don’t be afraid to pack light.

Everything I took had to fit into a Jansport backpack since we had no itinerary and no plans and needed to be highly mobile. Therefore, I wore the same 5 outfits over and over and over again. Luckily the clothes you need for island fashion are small and compact. This was the warmest thing I had to wear and it was only necessary for the plane rides over there:

Hi cleaning lady! After this shot, it was was bikinis, dresses, bikinis, dresses, and one radical pair of jean shorts:

My sister gave me this dress and she got it from GAP for $10. You don’t need to wear a bra with it, the back has cute detail, it’s a great color, was a little longer than the other dresses I had, and the cotton is breathable – if you’re going somewhere tropical – a dress that meets these criteria is a must.

Oh and I don’t typically wear flip flops during normal life, but on this trip I lived in them, especially since it’s customary around Thailand to remove your shoes whenever you go into … well most places, not to mention the beach. For me, it was either this pair of slim black Havaianas or Vans, which should have the laces ripped out of them immediately for slip-on access.

White dress from Buffalo Exchange for $13 or so bucks. Perfect cover up.

This dress is from Victoria’s Secret, who believe it or not, actually have a shit ton of cute beach stuff. This was you know cute enough and it’s made from some sort of terry cloth so it’s suuuuper comfy and it has a drop waist which is bitchin BUT I wore it on a boat trip and it started raining and then I was pretty much wearing a heavy wet towel, so I mean maybe not my best move ever … definitely should have had on this RVCA poncho thing I bought specifically for this trip through Revolve (who I love for their free shipping/returns/selection), but I am an idiot and definitely forgot to pack it. Fabrics matter.

Anyway I’m rambling so let me sum this up.

I need to write more.

Tropical vacations kick the ass out of everything and flip flops are a totally acceptable form of footwear when you’re on one.

Cover-ups and bikinis are your best friends. I bought all new bikinis on crazy cheap sale from Victoria’s Secret OH AND one ridiculously expensive pair of bottoms from Frankie’s Bikinis. Trust me, if you have any sort of substantial booty the Venice bottoms are your best friend. Worth the money if you want to preserve shots of your hot young ass in Thailand.

Don’t wear materials that turn into heavy towels when they get wet. Fabrics matter.

Don’t be afraid to pack light, especially if you’re going to a place where it’s inexpensive to purchase forgotten necessities.

Buy flowy pants immediately. Bonus points if you can make an elastic waist pair work for you.

Tropical drinks are mostly overrated unless they are Mango Margaritas. Cheap whiskey and beer with fresh fruit snacks are where it’s at.

And that’s all. Until next time, which hopefully won’t be as long as this last time.

To many of you, it’s not that crazy, but I bought two pairs of shoes in like, the last month. Whoa.

You see – I finally have a job that pays me an amount of money that allows for expendable income. It’s completely exciting. Up to now, my wardrobe consisted of hand-me-downs, swap steals, the occasional thrift find, and cheap ass shit.

I still really appreciate all of the aforementioned sources of appropriation, but to finally have money that I can spend to build a closet with wardrobe staples that are entirely ME is pretty damn fun. Plus I’m almost 30. Now that the college degrees are out of the way and I scored a great job, it’s time I buy myself some of my own damn clothes, right? (See, I still have to ask as I try and rid myself of the weird feelings of guilt over spending my own money. Being formerly poor is weird like that.)

So anyway, I bought shoes. I’ve always had a hard time buying shoes. Because with shoes, unlike with say, sweaters or leggings or whatever, you can’t get by on “cheap” as easily. I’m still am not spending a fortune or anything, but let’s consider spending more than $45 on a pair of Vans a step up.

Pair #1 – Doc Martens

Yeah, yeah, I get it. The dream of the 90’s is blah blah blah … but let’s be real here. This fashion phenomena is not just hitting Portland (it just never left Portland) and I would way rather walk around seeing 90’s fashion flashbacks everywhere than say, the 80’s. The 80’s are just not my steez.

I’ve been talking about how I just really need some new boots. In Portland, where it’s rainy and cloudy for 9 months of the year, investing in boots is kind of a must. Just so happens that for the past year or so I’ve also been swooning over Doc Martens. Especially those Oxblood red numbers.

So here I am, walking to work the other day, in a pair of flats with no socks or anything, and it’s pissing rain and I’m like MAN I really need some BOOTS. The time is NOW. And then I see the Dr. Martens store as I cross Burnside and I’m like, mmmm Dr. Martens.

Best purchase I’ve made in a long, long time. Practically wore these puppies out of the store. And I went with black knowing that if I loved them (which I do) I could always go back and pick up a pair up in Oxblood. Black is more a staple item. And that’s my thing with what I’m actually willing to spend money on – collecting staples.

Item #2 – Phew. Deep breath. Jeffrey Campbell Soiree Heels

Ok, ok. What the fuck was I thinking? Who am I? Will I ever where these?

I don’t know the answer to any of these questions – well except the last because yeah – I have to wear these. I’ve had my eye on them for a few months now. Mainly because I saw this girl’s picture over on her tumblr The F Word (follow her – she’s too fucking cute) and was like damn. Give me those.

Then. Well. They went on sale. At Urban Outfitter of all places. And I got an email saying SALE SALE SALE. You know?

And then I was like, well it can’t hurt to click the link and look, right? WRONG.

It hurt my bank account. But only by $87.50. Which, for these … not bad. And now I own a pair of nice heels! They’re different and edgy, sure, but they’re also a really classic silhouette when all the trend is stripped away. And I stray pretty far from straight up classic fashion aesthetics. So, it was meant to be. I just … I had to splurge.

Sorry I’m not sorry.

I’m still crafting my perfect first outfit with them, so you’ll have to wait for that 🙂 TBC …

When I first met my best friend Jessica (you may also know her as JRa, Jess, JJ, etc), I had no idea that fashion in the optical world was such a ‘thing’. I thought expensive sunglasses were ridiculous and people that wore glasses, well, I just didn’t think much of the fact that they had been needing to pick out an accessory that I myself had been able to ignore my entire life.

Me and Jessica – the early days (RIP Murder – my fishy)

After three years of bosom buddiness though, that’s all changed. I’ve helped her a number of times at Optik PDX, the small, beautifully designed, startup shop she helped bring into existence along the hip stretch of Mississippi that also houses Mississippi Studios, Miss Delta, Interurban, etc. etc.

She played a major role in introducing me to my adorable, glasses-wearing boyfriend (who, btw, shelled out for a surprise pair of the most amazing Barton Perriera sunglasses for me about a year ago, which ended up convincing me spendy shades were a worthy investment).

And, she has no problem pointing out the countless, COUNTLESS, number of glasses she herself has designed all around Portland. There is no shortage of people with fashionable eyewear in this town let me tell you. Check out the Optik PDX Facebook page to see some of them!

So yeah. I am surrounded by glasses now. Never saw myself in this situation, but that’s the way the cookie crumbled. And these days I’m up on Mississippi way more than I ever used to be and I’m always stopping in to see her and to say hi to the amazingly genial Dr. Ezra, and oh yeah to help myself to a nice cold Widmer, which they keep fully stocked in the back room for their customers to enjoy while perusing all the fabulous frames.

The Optik team looking all sorts of precious.

Inside the boutique

This isn’t just your typical adoration post even though I do indeed love her and Optik PDX to death. I actually have something really rad to tell you about! Let me get to the point. Aside from setting people up with all their optical needs, they also throw a killer party.

This Thursday is no exception. Please watch the video below where super smart people make 3D stuff using plastic and lasers. There is this glasses line, MYKITA MYLON, that is made like this.

Jess looking hot in the Mylon line

They’re bendy! They’re strong! They come in the most incredible colors and are like, super crazy hip. And this Thursday, Optik PDX is having a trunk show to showcase all the sexy steez. But oh wait there’s more, they’re also having a contest where you could actually win a pair! It’s an Instagram contest obviously, but that just means it’s super easy to enter.

Hello, beautiful frames

I’ll be posting the Instagram contest rules later today or tomorrow so watch for those. And if you live in Portland, do yourself a favor and head over to Optik PDX this Thursday, September 12 (TOMRROW!). The party goes from 1:00 – 7:00 pm and will feature a photo booth, free beer, beautiful people, and a whole host of cool glasses to fawn over.

Second, let me just say … Decaykini. Hellkini. Slasherkini … no no, you read right. It IS what you’re thinking. Only better. And brought to you by Etsy purveyor Bloodlust Productions.

I just …

You think these bikinis would be absolutely perfect for me! I mean, there isn’t much more in this world I love more than horror and creep stuff, but I am just not sure that I could put this type of stuff on my VAGINA. Not even if it is made from fucking rad ass horror effect materials and inspired by all of my favorite types of spooky shit.

I haven’t even given you my best example … ahem.

Look how hyped and sexy that girl is – now look between her legs. I die.

…………

………..

It is very … metal.

And honestly, I am obsessed with the concept and the execution. The shit looks really well made and I got a sewing machine solely for the purpose of making a line of “Murder Skirts” (hitting a retailer near year you, Fall 2019), so obviously I’m into it. It’s just so fucking ludicrous and weird and gnarly and really just, drives me to awed speechlessness.

Please, please go check them out and if you buy anything, you HAVE to send me pictures immediately. Because these suits really are pretty fucking epic.

Like, there’s texture …

And most of them will only set you back $85 – $100.

OMG their skirts! Their masks! Yeah I said it … skirts!!!

It’s too much. I’m obsessed. I pray to the Antichrist I see someone wearing something from these folks someday.

Again … go check them out, especially if you’re anything of a horror geek like myself. Swim suits are made to order. That’s pretty legit.

Yesterday I was gearing up for a walk across the street to have a beer with my fella and I decided to change outfits. I wanted to go from Sunday scrub to lesser Sunday scrub. You’re with me, right? So I changed from some baggier jeans, a random top and a pair of horrendous flip flops to some short shorts, my new cute Creepstreet top, and some leopard flats. Oh and I took my hair down and threw on my big, beautiful, gifted Barton Perreira shades, which I’ve decided are the best sunglasses on earth. Just, so you know.

Anyway, I got into this banter with my guy as we were getting ready to head out the door and he looked at me and said “You look exactly the same”. … I don’t remember the context. Point is, I sure as shit didn’t feel exactly the same and I KNOW I didn’t look it. I looked like 5% less scrubby. At least.

And so as validation I am blog posting the outfit so that I can confirm it was cuter than scuzzy jeans. I made him take all these photos as punishment for daring to compare the two outfits. I mean, CLEARLY I looked totally different and worlds better… although, to him, I’m sure I didn’t. Which fine. But still. The post is happening. Deal with it.

Here’s how I looked at him as we talked about how much different I obviously looked:

Here is when I made him hold open this really adorable white purse that I think I got from the clothing swap. I mean, I know I got it from the clothing swap, but I think it was my friend Laura’s. And I can’t get over the inside mirror. Or the white. Besides getting dirty easily, white is an excellent accessory color for me. Look how much he loves me:

Here are these shoes I bought at H & M for like, no money, but that I can only wear to the bar across the street because they give me blisters and I haven’t been willing to properly break the little fuckers in yet:

Here is where I was jumping back to make sure he was getting the entire outfit in his shots. The shots I was taking to further prove my point about my outfit:

And finally, here is what I put up on Instagram to continue proving my point through various social media outlets while he studiously wrote a postcard to grandma. Productive happy hour if I do say so myself. In the end I think he’d concede this outfit was completely different than the “house outfit”. Or not, but whatever. I feel better and had fun:

Last thing I remember was taking a cab to our friend’s space in the Portland Storage Building. Ok, I mean, I remember more after that of course, kind of, but what I didn’t remember was where I left my notebook with all my CWPL ramblings and I’m just gonna go ahead and blame two things for this: 1. Jimi Pop and 2. The Blue Diamond.

Those two started it. I was just trying to interview the babe for a blog post and next thing I know I’m cabbing home at 4 am sans interview notes. She is my favorite and you can watch for her MUCH DELAYED article soon. Promise. Because I finally got that mother loving notebook back.

Until then, can we just talk about how I saw Spring Breakers this last weekend and have spent all my time since then singing Britney Spears songs and wishing I could wander around 24/7 in a bikini and some hi tops?? It’s bad.

This was a surprisingly good movie, right? I mean I knew it would full of boobs and beer and blah blah, but what I didn’t expect was that James Franco would actually be enjoyable to watch and that the girl camaraderie would be so locked in. I mean it’s actually a really girl-friend centric movie and I would write more on this here, but I’ma need to watch it again first. Because let’s face it, I was dog ass tired sitting in that theater. Tired from partying. Honestly the last thing I wanted to do was watch other people party, even that sounded exhausting, but now looking back I am super pleased that it exceeded my expectations.

Come on! Right? And as much as I am scouring the Dolls Kill website for neon, bud leaf motif, short shorts, I am also dying to do profiles on all of these actresses’ real life fashion because come on, you want to rip on Coachella-happy Vanessa Hudgens’s over-the-top hippie steez too, right?

I don’t get it. Is the tambourine an accessory? Or does she actually know how to keep a beat with that thing?? Also I would get super annoyed with a purse that low, bumping on my knees and shit as I walk and stomp my feet to the beat of my tambourine, but fuck if I don’t want a fringe purse! I do. Really bad. Have my heart set on one. Will throw up a post about that too so you can see. But for now I’m going to keep looking at The Urban Realist for ideas on which bathing suit/kicks combination I like best …

Vintage shopping and cooking have always been sort of the same for me. In the way that I’m I’m not all that good at doing either even though I so desperately want to be and know I could be if only I could get past my impatience.

So imagine my surprise and delight over the last month or so when I’ve found myself shopping thrift and actually enjoying it! There have been some really awesome, recent Goodwill excursions. And let’s face it, Naked Lady Parities and Swaps are kind of like thrift shopping for beginners.

Another great experience I had recently came in the form of Portland Flea. This half indoor, half outdoor market invites a handful of Portland vendors to showcase their wares on the third Sunday of every month (pst, remaining dates are: 5/19, 6/16, 7/21, 8/18, 9/15, 10/20, 11/17 & 12/15) along a one block stretch of SE Portland that includes the beautiful Union/Pine.

I went with one of my most skilled thrifting friends, Jordan, you should all know her fairly well by now, and it didn’t take us long to scour the various racks. In fact, I loved how I never felt overwhelmed. The small, select number of stands allow for a less intimidating experience than a store full of stuff and the farmers market casualty of it really let me shop stress free.

The first thing I picked up were a pair of leather/suede tan cowboy boots from Scout & Parcel.

Look at my cat, Bandit. She loves them.

I’ve heard Portland Flea can be a little overpriced, and sure I could see that at times when I was there, but I bought these for $24 not knowing or caring what kind of deal that was. I could tell they were quality. They were a good neutral color. I could afford them. And I’ve always been a real fucking nerd for horses, which is also developing into a real love of a fashionable western aesthetic, so I knew these would become staples.

Plus they are old and worn-in and well-loved and it felt so good not consuming something new.

And I’ve already tested them … they are perfect for summer bbq’s and road trips.

Jordan tried on some stuff too. Right in the middle of the place. Because some people in dressing rooms are SLOW.

And while she did tried to zip up those adorable fucking shorts, I found my second purchase of the day: an $8 framed photograph of Mount St. Helens. I am obsessed with Mount St. Helen’s. I’ve always wanted an awesome Mount St. Helens picture. And honestly, I just trusted that some day I’d stumble upon the perfect one.

I picked up this little guy from Canned Ham Collectables. Is it weird that now I just want more? I am going to be such a freak with 20 Mount St. Helens pictures on my wall.

But before that happens, let me tell you about my third and final purchase of the day. I think some of you will recognize this one, but yeah, I had to have it!

That’s right. I even have pictures modeling this beauty! And now it’s mine. It was love at first fitting.

But yeah. That’s it! That’s what I bought! And I love all three of them equally! And they all feel so cohesive with my mood of late and my style leanings and the way I want my summer to feel. And it all started with chicken, waffles, and Budweiser so I’m sure that yeah, that had something to do with how dreamy it all was.

Ok! I’m leaving for CA this Thursday. Gotta drop my hot mama Jordan off for her epic cross-country road trip and also visit SF because it’s fucking ludicrous I’ve never been there, so if I don’t get another post in before that, I’ll be hitting you up from the road on Instagram (@cheapwineandpantylines)

Even if it’s not, it’s what I’ve been unintentionally doing. And lo and behold, unintentionally succeeding at! (In my personal opinion of course.) Except ultimately it’s done a great thing in that it’s taught me that you don’t have to be a killer fashionista to find shit at Goodwill that is just as cool as shit you would find online or at some mall. In fact there’s way less pressure because you’re spending $10 on cashmere instead of $11o.

This is important for me because, being as saddled with student loan debt as I am, spending money has always been a major commitment for me. I’ve never been a frivolous shopper for the mere fact that I literally wasn’t able to be a frivolous shopper. Unless, it turns out, I get a decent raise and I’m at Goodwill and I’m buying stuff that doesn’t matter for the same reason that it costs the same amount of money at Goodwill as it does if I were spending it at some burrito cart the second I find myself stuck at work on a Thursday morning with a massive hangover.

Ok so let’s see.

I got a sweater I really love and that I actually think I will wear. I’ve always, ok for like 4 months I’ve struggled with that fashion “nail in the coffin” where I want to wear shit that doesn’t actually suit me. You know? I really am happiest in jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and simple stuff like that. I suppose the key is focusing in on how to maximize that.

This sweater seems like something I’d wear all the time. Awesome. It’s 100% cashmere and blue and has awesome buttons and was made in Scotland and I’m pretty sure I think it’s awesome, which is bound to translate well. Oh, and it cost me $10.

The print on this sweater is made of bunnies. It’s pretty cute. And always makes me pretty happy when I look at it in the middle of the day. AND it’s good for work, so sometimes that’s great as well. Oh and it was $6.

Ok. I had this backpack I really loved that I got off the free table at my last apartment. I didn’t even want a backpack. I just found one and I thought it was great so I started using it all the time. Then, when the strap on that one broke, I felt sort of lost.

This was that backpack.

Then, when my bf needed a backpack … this is a long story. Fact is … I found this cute purse for $6 at Goodwill the other day and it was awesome because … it was comfortable and cute. Just like my cat …

That’s a $10 100% cashmere crop-top I found at Goodwill. 100% cashmere cropped tops kind of confuse me, but I do think they’re cute and I will, I believe, find the perfect evening to wear this.

And more purse.

Let’s see. I also found this mug for $2. I certainly didn’t need a new mug, but … come on.

And oh shit. Speaking of tumble-upons. I decided for $5 to read Rob Lowe’s autobiography.

And there. I guess I’ve gone and successfully summed up a trip to Goodwill with me. All for like … $39.